C natural minor scale
The C natural minor scale is made of the notes C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭. It has 7 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
Minor · 7 notes
- 1C
- 2D
- ♭3E♭
- 4F
- 5G
- ♭6A♭
- ♭7B♭
PatternW – H – W – W – H – W – W(W = whole step, H = half step)
Three variants with a minor third: natural, harmonic (raised seventh) and melodic (raised sixth and seventh). Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.
Mode and chords
The natural minor has a minor 3rd, 6th and 7th: it sounds darker and sadder than the major. It shares its notes with the major scale a minor third above (its relative): A minor and C major, for example.
The C natural minor scale is mode 6 of the E♭ major scale: the same notes, starting from degree 6. E♭ major scale →
Put it into practice
The scale played in thirds over one octave: one of the exercises MEG generates from this scale.
Chords built on the scale
Frequently asked questions
- What are the notes of the C natural minor scale?
- The notes are C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭.
- What is the pattern of the C natural minor scale?
- The sequence of steps is W – H – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
- Which scale is the C natural minor scale a mode of?
- It is mode 6 of the E♭ major scale.
- Which chords is the C natural minor scale used over?
- It is used over Cm7, Cm9: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.